WEDNESDAY, 9:00am: Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links) has the details on Williams’ contract, which includes a $250K signing bonus and a $1.5MM base salary ($250K guaranteed). The pact also includes $350K in per-game roster bonuses, making it worth up to $2.1MM.
MONDAY, 4:03pm: The Seahawks have formally announced the signing of Williams in a press release. In addition to Williams, the team also signed former Eastern Washington running back Demitrius Bronson, cutting quarterback Keith Price and defensive end Kenneth Boatright to clear room on the roster.
THURSDAY, 4:52pm: Williams’ one-year deal with the Seahawks will be worth in excess of $2MM, according to Werder (via Twitter).
4:44pm: The Seahawks have reached an agreement on a contract with free agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams, reports Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link via Adam Schefter). While terms of the deal weren’t immediately known, it’s a one-year pact for the longtime Viking.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier this week, Williams suggested talks had been “picking up” for him lately and that he anticipated signing somewhere in time for training camp. The veteran defensive lineman, who will turn 34 later this summer, also visited the Patriots and Giants before signing with the Seahawks, and had been in talks about a return to the Vikings as well.
Although Williams is no longer the force he was in his prime, his durability has been remarkable — over the course of his 11-year career, the former ninth overall pick has only missed five regular-season contests. In 2013, Williams ranked as the 27th-best defensive tackle in the NFL among 69 qualified players at the position, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). He logged 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and even an interception.
For Seattle, it’s the latest move to help fortify a defensive line that lost multiple key contributors this offseason in Chris Clemons, Red Bryant, and Clinton McDonald, but retained free agents Michael Bennett and Tony McDaniel.